One of the devotions this week was called "Gathering Around The Table". The Bible Verse was:
"When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God" Luke 14:15.
This got me to thinking about all the memories associated with our kitchen table.
Here's what I see today:
There are recent crayon marks made by a special two year old. These will be easy to clean off.
A wooden tray made for me by my step son-in-law.
Round rattan place mats from Dollar General.
Pioneer Woman plates from Walmart.
Red and White checked cushions in the chairs.
But more important is what I see in my mind's eye. There are bits and pieces of memories, traces of love, sad things, bittersweet things, happy things, and more, associated with the table.
I remember the day the table was delivered back in 1984.
I remember my children sitting around this table eating. They ate lots of spaghetti!
My son, Josh, who died at age 2, sat in his high chair at this table.
Lots and lots of HOMEWORK was done at this table!!!!
 |
| The broken place that was glued back together. Wood glue works good! |
I've seen my husband wipe off this table about a million times!
My daughter, Lori, played with a Christmas ornament at the table and accidentally broke it. I wish I had not gotten upset with her... sigh.
My husband and I played lots of cards at the table, once upon a time.
Numerous holidays, birthdays, ordinary meals, decorations. A baby shower. A wedding shower. The Thanksgiving turkey that I roasted with the bag of stuff still inside it. Vases of flowers from loved ones, or zinnias picked from the yard. Grandkids eating watermelon. Lasagna.
Plates of food wrapped with plastic wrap, left for a loved one to eat when they got home late.
Doing taxes with a calculator borrowed from work.
There is no telling how many quilts I have pin basted on that table!
Holding hands with family while saying the blessing before a meal.
The thought has crossed my mind to replace the table with a more current style, but you know what? I don't think so. Now that I've thought about it, our table is a sacred space.
What about you? Does your table bring back special memories?
4 comments:
What a lovely post! And so nice to hear from you. When we were first married in 1982, I had purchased an old table from an estate sale as our first kitchen table. Two years later when we purchased our first home, we bought a pine table and chairs which I used in my dining room for a few years. It eventually became our kitchen table. Like you, the thousands of meals it has seen, the flowers from our yard and from my husband, the homework, playdo, paint, homemade birthday cakes, and on and on. This January, I finally refinished that table. After over 30 years of service the top was TERRIBLE! So once again it looks lovely. Ready for those grandbabies to make their marks! Oh I will never replace it!
Debbie, this post put a lump in my throat. What a sweet tribute to your table and all the years of memories it has witnessed and been a part of making. I had a table very similar, and we gave it to Will and Ashley when they got married. They are still using it and it looks right at home in their new dining room, as their home has a very country and rustic feel. I must know how your son broke the table; inquiring minds want to know. ha ha Never part with your table!!!
I came over from Little Penpen's blog to say hi. Yes, you must keep your table, it is part of family history. Your story of a simple table and the life lived around it is very touching.
Debbie, that is a beautiful post that brought tears to my eyes. What special memories you have!!
Post a Comment